The rehearsals of one of the greatest classical ballets of all times – Swan Lake – with choreography by Rudolf Nureyev are starting. Before even thinking about dancing solo, young dancers need to merge into a broader movement moving in the same breath. 

Most of them are only substitutes for now. We will reconnect with Roxane, Alice, Julien, Chun Wing, Ida, Eugénie, Margherita and Alexandre… All of whom will recall their journey and their transformations since their entry into the ballet corps – as well as their reflections upon the universe of classical dancing.

They question the image of women in Swan Lake. This image of desirable naivety and her submission to men's desire are unambiguous. Broad-shouldered, protective men and supple, slender women complete this picture of 19^th century gender roles...

This ballet remains a staple for all who start in classical dance, like Chun Wing who – as a child in Hong-Kong – used to have all the DVD versions that his father could find. His family is seeing him for the first time on the Palais Garnier stage.

A coproduction ARTE France, SCHUCH Productions, the Paris Opera and NHK
With the support of the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image animée, the Région Île-de-France, the PROCIREP - Société des Producteurs and of the ANGOA

Director: Françoise Marie
© SCHUCH Productions – ARTE France – Opéra national de Paris – 2018